Chicago Bears Insider: Free Agency Update

Free agency has just started and the Bears began things with a little bit of a bang signing two free agents to help bolster the team. Their biggest free agent signing of the period so far was former Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevethan. The Bears desperately needed help at the inside linebacker position and they got just what they needed with by bringing him in. As long as he stays healthy the Bears should get good production out of him and he should be a find addition to the team. We will take a little closer look at Trevethan in a little bit.

The second player that the Bears signed in free agency is offensive tackle Bobby Massie formerly of the Arizona Cardinals. It’s been thought, by some, that Massie could slide in at the right tackle position and let Kyle Long get back to his old position at guard where he had a lot of success early in his career. It remains to be seen exactly what the Bears will do but it looks like Massie is going to be the right tackle for the Bears come next season.

Chicago also signed a few of their own free agents during this period so far. They are going to bring back offensive lineman Nick Becton, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, cornerback Tracy Porter and running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Becton can provide some depth along the offensive line and the Bears seem to like him. Jeffery was signed to a franchise tag which means he will get big money for one year. Chicago is still trying to sign him to a long term deal and may get that done soon.

Porter had a bit of a resurgence last season and played pretty well so there was no reason to think that the Bears wouldn’t bring him back for another season. He should be the starter opposite Kyle Fuller again next year. Rodgers went out of the lineup early last season with a broken arm but will be back with the Bears as they need help at the running back position.

There are still several free agents available and the Bears have a few of their own that they may want to sign and bring back. Keep an eye on the Bears because with the amount of cap space that they have they will most likely be bringing in a lot of new free agents or getting back some of the guys that played for them last season. It shouldn’t be an entirely new roster come next season but there should be a few new faces.

Getting back to Trevethan. The Bears needed a force at the inside linebacker positon after suffering through not having someone that could anchor the middle most of the season last year. Trevethan had a solid career with the Broncos and when healthy he is one of the better middle linebackers in the league. He played with head coach John Fox while he was in Denver so Fox knows who is and what he can do. Fox was a big reason Trevethan came to the Bears.

So, as previously stated, the Bears should be very active in free agency over the coming weeks. Most of the big name free agents are gone but there are a lot of good second tier players available that the Bears might be interested in. There are several rumors floating around out there that have the Bears looking at other players from around the NFL. Some of those players include running back C.J. Anderson of the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots defensive lineman Akiem Hicks. These are just rumors but with all the money the Bears have they do have some room to sign some additional players so other talent may be coming on board soon.

Look for additional information on the Bears free agents as the offseason continues.

Writers Note: As of the end of this writing, the Bears re-signed cornerback and special teams ace Sherrick McMannis to a contract bringing him back for the 2016 season.